Packaging apparatus



April 22, 1958 w. L. EARLS ETAL 2,831,305

PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed May 22, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet l I I w O I l l Il l l I F I I INVENTOR W/LL/AM L. Awe/.5

ALWYN B. PERRY ATTOIXEY S' April 22, 1958 w. L.-EARLS ETAL 2,831,305

PACKAGING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 22, 1956 INVENTOR WILLIAML. EARLS ALWVN B. PERRY April 1958 w. L. EARLS ETAL 2,831,305

PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed May 22, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 22, 1958w. 1.. EARLS ETAL 2,831,305

- PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed May 22, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .1=:.1LINVENTORS WILL/AM L. EARLS ALWVN a. PERRY ATTORNEYS United States PatentPACKAGING APPARATUS William L. Earls and Alwyn B. Perry, Frankfort, Ky.,as-

srgnors to Schenley Industries, Inn, New York, N. Y., a corporation ofDelaware Application May 22, 1956, Serial No. 586,507

32 Claims. (Cl. 53-682) This invention relates to the packaging ofmerchandise and more particularly to a semi-automatic apparatus forsimultaneously feeding packing cases and articles to be placed thereinin side-by-side relationship in order to facilitate manual insertion ofthe articles into the packing cases.

Briefly stated, the apparatus of this invention is primarily intended tobe utilized in connection with a bottling machine of the type commonlyemployed to fill bottles with distilled spirits or other beverages and,at the same time, to apply a label to such bottles. The packagingapparatus serves to deliver packing cases which are commonly formed ofcorrugated material, such as'paper or cardboard, and which are providedwith a cellular structure for receiving the individul bottles. The casesare also provided with side and end cover flaps which must be moved outof the way during insertion of the bottles in the cases and theapparatus of this invention includes means for engaging the side coverflaps and folding the same to a position along side of the cases, whichflaps are held in this position during filling of the cases and also oneof the end cover flaps is moved out of the way during this operation.

The bottling machine with which the apparatus of this invention isintended to operate normally delivers filled and labeled bottles in adouble row and means is provided to divide the bottles into two singlerows and to direct the same onto single row conveyors, one of which islocated at each side of the apparatus and parallel to the empty casestraveling therethrough. The bottles are transported in an uprightposition and in such a manner that the labels which are usually stillwet, will not be displaced or damaged and adjustable means is providedfor regulating the height of the cases to be filled in such a mannerthat the tops thereof are located substantially in the same plane as thebottom of the bottles being conveyed parallel thereto on each side ofthe cases. They bottles are manually removed from the single rowconveyors and placed in the cases and this inserting operation isperformed while the cases are moving through the apparatus. Twooperators are all that is required, one positioned on each side of thecases moving through the apparatus and the speed of movement of thecases is such that these two operators are enabled to completely fillthe cases without stopping the forward movement thereof. However, in theevent the flow of bottles to the apparatus is interrupted for anyreason, movement of the cases may be stopped by actuating of a footoperated switch by either of the operators. However, in the normaloperation of the machine, movement of the cases will be at a continuousrate therethrough and since the bottles are fed in timed relation to themovement of the cases, the filling operation is substantiallycontinuous.

The empty cases are supplied to the apparatus by means of an overheadgravity conveyor and the movement of such cases is controlled by a stopmeans and a case releasing means which operates in timed relation to theconveyor for moving cases through the apparatus in such a 2,831,305Patented Apr. 22, 1958 manner that cases are only supplied from thegravity conveyor at appropriate intervals in accordance with themovement of cases through the apparatus.

While the apparatus of this invention is primarily intended forfacilitating the filling of packing cases with articles, such asbottles, it is to be understood, that such apparatus may also be usedfor the packaging of other articles, it only being necessary to alterthe dimensions of the apparatus in order to accommodate cases ofdifferent sizes or shapes and also to accommodate articles of differentsizes or shapes. The basic principles of the invention will be the same,however, and bottles and cases for receiving the same are only referredto for convenience in describing the structure and operation of theapparatus.

Heretofore, numerous different types of packaging apparatus forfacilitating the insertion of articles in packing cases have beenproposed and utilized, but many of these prior art machines wererelatively large and cumbersome requiring a relatively large floor areaand also these machines were relatively complex and costly and subjectto frequent interruption in operation due to breakdowns or the necessityfor frequent adjustments. Furthermore, these prior machines handled thearticles to be packaged in such a manner, that were the same bottleswith wet labels thereon, such labels would be displaced or damagedthereby necessitating removal of such damaged merchandise with aconsequent loss in production time. Also in many of the prior artmachines, the cases to be filled remained stationary during the fillingoperation and .also i no means was provided for folding and holding thecover flaps out of the way during the filling operation. Also in theseprior art machines, no adjustments were provided for accommodatingpacking cases of diiferent heights and this materially reduced theversatility of such machines, since frequently it is desired to packagearticles of different sizes and the packing cases utilized to receivesuch articles, of course, vary in dimensions in accordance with thesizes of the articles to be packaged. This is particularly true in thecase of bottled beverages, since such beverages are commonly supplied inbottles having different capacities and consequently, some means foradapting the apparatus to operate with packing cases of different sizesin accordance with the particular bottles being packaged is imperative.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a. packagingapparatus for facilitating the insertion of articles in packing cases,which apparatus serves to feed packing cases and articles in continuousparallel paths and in timed relationship thereby permitting manualfilling of the packing cases during travel thereof through theapparatus.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a packagingapparatus for facilitating the manual insertion of articles into packingcases in which a portion of the apparatus is disposed above articlefeeding means and in which the packing cases and articles move inparallel paths at substantially the same rate, thereby permitting theapparatus to occupy a minimum of floor space.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a packagingapparatus for facilitating the manual insertion of articles into packingcases and in which all manual handling of the packing cases iseliminated.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a packagingapparatus for facilitating themanual insertion of articles into packingcases and in which means is provided to hold the side cover flaps of thecases out of the way and hold the same in such position during fillingof the cases and also to provide means for folding one of the end coverflaps out of the way during the filling operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a packagingapparatus for facilitating the insertion of articles into packing casesand in which such articles are delivered'and handledin suchamanner as toprevent-the displacement or damage to labels or other decorativematerial applied thereto.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a packagingapparatus for facilitating the manual in sertion of articles intopacking cases and in which a supply of packing cases is fed by gravityto the apparatus and such cases released periodically for movement tothe apparatus and in timed relation to the movement of articles suppliedthereto.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a packagingapparatus for facilitating the manual insertion of articles into packingcases and in which adjusting means is provided to accommodate packingcases of different heights.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a packagingapparatus for facilitating the manual insertion of articles into packingcases, in which such packing cases are moved through the apparatus by aconveyor at a predetermined rate of travel and in which such packingcases are supplied to the conveyor in timed relation to the movementthereof.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a packagingapparatus facilitating the manual insertion of articles into packingcases and in which such cases are supplied to the apparatus by means ofa gravity conveyor and periodically released from the gravity conveyorin timed relation to the travel of such cases through the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a packagingapparatus for facilitating manual insertion of articles into packingcases, in which such packing cases are moved continuously through theapparatus by means of a conveyor and in which means is provided to varythe speed of the conveyor in accordance with the number of articles tobe placed in each packing case.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a packagingapparatus for facilitating the manual placing of articles into packingcases and in which such articles are supplied to the apparatus in adouble row, there being means to separate the articles into single rowsand deliver the same to single row conveyors on opposite sides of thepacking cases during travel thereof through the apparatus.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a packagingapparatus to facilitate the manual insertion of articles into packingcases, which apparatus is designed to reduce the number of operatorsrequired for such packaging operations and to materially increase thespeed of such packaging operation.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of a packaging apparatusconstructed in accordance with this invention and with certain partsomitted in the interest of clarity;

Fig. 2 a side elevational view constituting a continuation of Fig. 1 andshowing the remainder of the packaging apparatus of thisinvention;

Fig. 3 a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 a fragmentary sectional view to an enlarged scale and takensubstantially on the line 44 of Fig. 3 and showing the adjusting meansfor accommodating packing cases of different heights;

Fig. 5 a top plan view of the portion of the packaging apparatus shownin Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 atop plan view forming a continuation of Fig. 5

and showing the remainder of the packaging apparatus as shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 a fragmentary top plan view of the article supply conveyor andthe dividing means for directing the articles onto single row conveyors,this view being taken substantially along the line 7-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 a fragmentary side elevational view showing the cover flapengaging and folding means;

Fig. 9 a top plan view of the cover flap engaging and folding meansshown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 a fragmentary perspective view showing packing cases asdelivered to the inclined slideway of the packaging apparatus of thisinvention and the operation of the cover flap engaging and foldingmechanism;

Fig. 11 a fragmentary side elevational view of the case stop meanstogether with the means for releasing the cases from such stop means andthe cam actuating means therefor;

Fig. 12 an end elevational view of the stop means and case release meansshown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 a top plan view of the packing case stop means and release meanstogether with the operating mechanism therefor; and

Fig. 14 a diagrammatic view in perspective showing the various conveyorsemployed in the packaging apparatus of this invention together with thedrive means for such conveyors.

With continued reference to the drawing, there is shown a packagingapparatus constructed in accordance with this invention and which maywell include an inclined gravity chute it) connected at its dischargeend 11 with an inclined slideway 12 which merges at its lower end 13into a horizontal slideway 14. Packing cases are supplied to theinclined chute 10 and move therealong under the action of gravity andare delivered at the exit end 11 thereof to the inclined slideway 12where the packing cases are moved by conveyor means down the inclinedslideway and along the horizontal slideway 14 in a manner to be laterdescribed. An article feeding conveyor 15 is disposed below the inclinedslideway l2 and is intended to feed a double row of articles to anarticle divider 16 mounted above the conveyor 15, where the articles aredivided into two parallel rows and supplied to single row conveyors l7and 18 disposed on opposite sides of the horizontal slideway 14. Thespecific structure of the double row article conveyor 15, the articledivider 16 and the single row conveyors 17 and r3 will be more fullydescribed below.

The horizontal slideway 14 is provided with upstanding slide plates 19and 20 and a packing case supporting surface formed by a plurality oflongitudinally extending substantially parallel bars 21. As best shownin Figs. 3 and 4, the packing case supporting bars are carried byvertical rods 22 which are slidably mounted in a sleeve 23 secured to aportion of the frame 24 of the apparatus. The rod 22 may be providedwith a plurality of transverse apertures 25 for selectively receiving apin 26 which may be inserted through aligned apertures 27 in the sleeve23 to selectively position the slide bars 21 at different heights. Inthis manner, the slide bars 21 may be adjusted to accommodate packingcases of different heights in such a manner that the tops of suchpacking cases will move along the horizontal slideway 14 insubstantially the same plane, regardless of the height thereof.

Conveyor chains 28 and 29 are disposed at each side of the horizontalslideway 1-4- and inwardly of side plates 19 and 20 and a plurality ofspaced pusher bars 3%) are connected between the chains 28 and 29 andmove with such chains along the inclined slideway 1'2 and the horizontalslideway 14. The chains 28 and 29 are trained over suitable guidesprockets 31, 32 and 33 mounted on the framework of the apparatus and atone end, such chains 23 and 29 are trained over sprockets 34 and 35fixed to an idler shaft 36 rotatably mounted adjacent the entrance endof the inclined slideway 12. The chains 28 and 29 at the discharge endof the horizontal slideway 14 are trained over sprockets 37 and 38 fixedto a conveyor drive shaft 39 rotatably mounted on the framework of themachine.

As best shown in Fig. 14, the conveyor drive shaft 39 is driven througha chain 40 or other suitable means from is a counter-shaft 41 which inturn is selectively driven by chains or other suitable means 42, 43 and44 from a main drive shaft 45. Chains 42, :t3 and 44 are trained oversprockets of different sizes and such sprockets may be selectivelyclutched to either the shaft 45 or the countershaft 41 in order to drivesuch counter-shaft 41 and conveyor drive shaft at any one of threedifferent selected speeds. The main drive shaft 45 may be driven in anysuitable manner from a suitable power source, such as an electric motor.In order to control the operation of the conveyor chains and 2?, theremay be provided a clutch 46 on the conveyor drive shaft 39 and suchclutch 46 may be remotely controlled by either of the operators fromtheir working positions in order to start or stop movement of packingcases through the apparatus.

As stated above, packing cases flow by gravity down the chute 10 and inorder to retain the packing cases in the proper path, there may beprovided side rails 47 and 48, Means is also provided which is not shownin the drawing, but may well comprise spring arms or a spring pressedroller for engaging the cases and urging the same toward the side rail48 for a purpose which will presently appear. With particular referenceto Figs. 5, ll, 12 and 13, a case stop means is provided adjacent thedischarge end of the chute it and this stop means may well take the formof an angle member having one leg 49 secured to the side rail 48 of thechute 10, by suitable fastening means 50, and having the other leg 51projecting into the chute 16 in the path of movement of packing casestraveling down such chute. The spring pressed arms or roller mentionedabove, serve to urge the packing cases toward the rail 43 and intoengagement with the stop member 51 which will engage the forward end ofa case and prevent further movement thereof down the chute 10.

Since it is intended that packing cases be delivered periodically fromthe chute It to the inclined slideway 12 and in timed relation to themovement of the pusher bars 39 along the inclined slideway 12 andhorizontal slideway 14, means is provided in the form of a case engagingpusher member 52 located adjacent the case stop means 51 and pushermember 52 is adapted to move transversely of the chute 10 in order tomove a packing case out of engagement with the stop member 51 and permitmovement of the case from the chute 10 onto the inclined slideway 12 andinto engagement with one of the pusher bars for further movement alongthe inclined slideway 12 and the horizontally slideway 14. The caseengaging pusher member 52 is fixed to a slide 53 which in turn isslidably mounted in a bracket 54 for sliding movement transversely ofthe chute It). The slide 53 and pusher member 52 is normally urgedinwardly of the chute 10, by means of a tension spring 55 connected atone end to a stud 56 extending from the bracket 54 and at the oppositeend to a stud 57 fixed to a slide 53.

A. rocker arm. 58 is pivotally mounted adjacent the lower end thereof ona pin 59 extending from the bracket 54 and at the opposite end of therocker arm 58 a pin 60 extends therefrom and serves to pivotally engagea link or connecting rod 62. Connecting rod or link 62 is also connectedby a pin 63 to the slide 53. A cylindrical cam 64 is fixed to a camshaft 65 which in turn is rotatably mounted in a bracket 66' dependingfrom the lower side of the chute 1G and cam 64 is provided with a camsurface 66 on the outer side edge thereof, there being provided a lowportion 67 in such cam surface, the purpose of which will be presentlydescribed. A roller type cam follower 68 is rotatably mounted on therocker arm 53 and the cam follower 68 is held in engagement with the camsurface 66 by tension spring 55.

Since it is necessary that the slide 53 and pusher member 52 operate intimed relation to the movement of the pusher bars 3!? with the conveyorchains 28 and 29, the cam shaft 65 may be driven by a chain 69, or othersuitable driving means, from the conveyor idler shaft 36.

This will insure that the cam shaft 65 and cam 64 carried therebyrotates in timed relation to the operation of the conveyor whichreceives packing cases from the chute 10 and conveys the same down theinclined slideway 12 and along the horizontal slideway 14. Since it isnecessary that the cam 64 be accurately adjusted in order to provideproper operation of the slide 53 and pusher member 52, the cam 64 may besecured to a hub 70 mounted on the shaft 65 by screw threaded fasteningmeans or the like 71 extending through arcuate slots 72 in the body ofthe cam' 64. Consequently, it will be seen that the cam 64 may berotated in either direction with respect to the shaft 65 and when theproper adjustment is obtained, the fastening means 71 may be tightenedinto clamping engagement with the body of the cam to fix such cam inposition with relation to the shaft 64.

With the chains 28 and 29 and pusher bars 30' operating to move packingcases down the inclined slideway 12 and along the horizontal slideway14, it will be seen that due to rotation of conveyor idler shaft 36, thecam shaft 65 and cam 64 carried thereby will also be rotated in timedrelation to the operation of the packing case conveyor and as a resultthereof, the cam follower 63 will move into the low portion 67 of thecam 64 and permit movement of the slide 53 and case pusher member 52transversely of the chute 10 under the action of tension spring 55, suchmovement serving to move a packing case transversely of the chute it)and out of engagement with the case stop member 51. This will result ina packing case being released to move down the chute 1t) and onto theinclined slideway 12 where such packing case will be engaged by anappropriate pusher bar 3t; carried by the conveyor chains 28 and 29 andthereafter moved down the inclined slideway 12 and along the horizontalslideway 14 by means of such pusher bar. Continued rotation of the cam64 will move the cam follower 68 out of the low portion 67 of the camand onto the fiat portion of the cam surface 66 which will result inretraction of the slide 53 and case engaging pusher member 52, therebypermitting movement of a succeeding packing case to engagement with thecase stop member 51. This operation will then be repeated to releaseanother case onto the inclined slideway 312 in proper timed relation tothe operation of the conveyor chains 28 and 29 and the case pusher bars30 carried thereby. Since a backlog of packing cases may be permitted tobuild up on the chute lit, behind the case stop member 51, it will beseen that continuous operation of the apparatus is permitted and thatsuch packing cases will be periodically delivered to the inclinedslideway 12 in accordance with the rate of travel of such packing casesdown the slideway 12 and along the horizontal slide- Way 14. Stoppage ofthe apparatus by the operators for any reason whatsoever, will, ofcourse, stop rotation of the cam shaft 65 and cam 64 carried therebywith the result, that the slide 53 and case engaging pusher mem ber 52will fail to operate to release a case from the case stop member 51 andconsequently, such cases are only delivered to the inclined slideway 12during operation of the conveyor chains 23 and 29 and case pusher bars39 carried thereby.

With particular reference to Figs. 1, 8, 9 and 10, there is provided ameans for engaging and manipulating the cover flaps of the cases inorder to move the same out of the way to facilitate the manual insertionof articles in the cases. As shown in Fig. 10, the packing cases '73 areprovided with side cover flaps 74 and 75 and with end cover flaps 76 and77. When delivered to the inclined slideway 12, the cover flaps aresubstantially in the position shown in the upper portion of Fig. 10, andobviously, such flaps must be moved out of the way in order to provideaccess to the interior of the packing case. For this purpose, there isprovided a cover flap manipulating mechanism indicated generally at 78,and such mechanism may be mounted on a bracket 79 secured to theinclined-slideway 12. anddisposed above the packing cases 73 moving downsuch slideway; Suitable framework 8% is fixed to the bracket 79 andsupported at one end of the frame work is a tapered nose member 81 whichis disposed substantially midway of the Width of inclined slideway 12and faces opposite to the direction of movement of packing cases 73therealong. Secured to the nose member 81 substantially midway thereofand projecting forwardly is an overhanging end cover flap engaging bar82. inspection of Fig. 10, that the overhanging bar passes between thepartially opened side cover flaps 74 and 75 and as the packing case 73moves downwardly on an inclined slideway 12, the nose member 81 willengage the side cover flaps 7d and 75 to move the same upwardly andoutwardly toward open position.

In order to complete the opening movement of the side cover-flaps 74 and75 and to fold the same downwardly to positions alongside the packingcase 73, there is provided twisted or spirally formed diverging foldingplates 83 and 8 3 on each side of thenose member 81 and as the packingcases 73 move down the inclined slideway 12, the folding plates 33 and84 will engage the side cover flaps 74 and 75 respectively, and move thesame to the position shown midway of Fig. 10. Since it is desirable thatthe side cover flaps 74 and 75 be retained in a folded positionalongside the packing case 73 during movement along the horizontalslideway 14 to facilitate manual insertion of the articles within thecase, there are provided guide bars 85 and 86 on each side of theinclined slideway 12 and the horizontal slideway 14 and as the sidecover flaps 74 and 75 move out of engagement with the folding plates 83and 84, they are engaged by the guide bars 85 and 85 respectively whichserves to hold such side cover flaps 74 and 75 in the position shown atthe lower portion of Fig. 10 and during the remainder of travel of thepacking case 73 through the apparatus.

As the packing case 73 moves downwardly on the inclined slideway 12 andthrough the cover flap manipulating mechanism 78, the trailing end coverflap 77 with respect to the direction of movement of the packing case 73projects upwardly and will first be engaged .by the overhanging bar 32and thereafter by the nose member 81 which will result in moving the endcover flap 77 to the position shown at the central portion of Fig. 10.The end cover flap 77 is retained in this position during movementthrough the cover flap manipulating mechanism 78 by means of a fiat bar87 disposed at substantially the same level as the top of the packingcase 73 and due to the engagement of the end cover flap 77 by the bar 37with some pressure, the end flap 77 will tend to remain substantially inan open position throughout the remainder of the travel of the case 73through the apparatus.

Since, in order for the cover flap manipulating mechanism 73 to operateeiiiciently, it is necessary for the packing cases 73 to besubstantially centered longitudinally with respect to the inclinedsiideway 12 and the cover flap manipulating mechanism 78, there has beenprovided mechanism for centering such packing cases during travel downthe inclined slideway 112 and this mechanism as clearly shown in Fig. 9,may well take the form of inwardly extending pivotally mounted fingers$3 and 89 which are pivotally secured at 9 and 91 to the side rails 92and 93 of the inclined slideway 12. The lingers 33 and 89 may beyieldably urged inwardly of the inclined slideway 12 by means ofsuitable compression springs 9-iand 95 and as the packing cases 73 movedownwardly on the inclined slideway 12, they will be engaged by thespring pressed fingers 3S and 89 to accurately center the same and alsoto hold the cases in firm engagement with the pusher bars 30. As thepacking cases 73 leave the spring pressed fingers 88 and 39, they movebetween guide bars as and 97 which are adjustably secured to the siderails 92 and 93' by suitable fas- It will be noted from anteningemeansfidand 99 and guide .rails 96 and 97 serve to guidethemovement of, the packing cases 73 into and,

partially through the cover flap manipualting mechanism 78;

It will be seen'that by the above described portion of the apparatus,that packing cases 73 will be periodically delivered from the chute 10to the inclined slideway 12 and thereafter carried along such inclinedslideway and along the horizontal slideway 14 by operation of theconveyor chains 23 and 29 and case pusher bars 31 carried thereby andduring movement along the horizontal slideway 14, the side cover flaps74 and 75 are held in open position and the trailing end cover flap 77is also in open position. Two operators are required for the operationof the apparatus of this invention and one operator is stationed at eachside of the horizontal slideway 14. in this position, articles areplaced in the packing case 73 during movement thereof along thehorizontal slideway 14 and it is not necessary to stop the movement ofthe cases 73 therealong-except in the event of failure of the articlesupply mechanism or in the event of some other failure, orbreakdown inthe apparatus. The packing case filling operation is, therefore,continuous and the articles to be placed in such packing case aredelivered in timed relation to the movement of the packing cases alongthe horizontal slideway 14 and the apparatus for supplying such articleswill now be described,

With particular reference to Figs. 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14, a double, rowconveyor mechanism 15 may be provided for delivering articles, such asbottles, from a bottling machine or other source in double row and suchdouble row conveyor may well comprise a suitable endless conveyor 100which is trained over sprockets 101 mounted ona shaft 102'at theentrance end of the conveyor 100 and trained over sprockets 103 mountedon a shaft 104 at the discharge end of the conveyor 100. It is to benoted, that the discharge end of the conveyor 100 is disposed betweensingle row conveyors 17 and 18 which are disposed at each side of thehorizontal slideway 14.

As best shown in Figs. 3 and 14, the conveyor 17 may well comprise anendless chain 105 trained over a sprocket 106 mounted on a shaft 107adjacent the entrance end of the conveyor and trained over a sprocket108 mounted on a shaft 109 adjacent the discharge end of the horizontalslideway14. Suitable article supporting member 11%) are carried by thechain 105 and such article supporting members move along slides 111 and112 carried by the side wall 19 of the horizontal slideway 14 and by anouter wall 113 mounted on the horizontal slideway 14. The outer wall 113may also be provided on the upper surface thereof with a guide rail 114which serves to prevent inadvertent tipping of the articles carried bythe conveyor.

In a similar manner, the conveyor 18 may comprise an endless chain 115trained over a sprocket 116 mounted on 'the shaft 107 at the entranceend of the conveyor and at the opposite end trained over a sprocket 117mounted on a shaft 118 located at the discharge end of the horizontalslideway 14. The chain 115 is provided with article supporting members119 which slide on a supporting member 12;} carried by the sidewall 20of the horizontal slideway 14 and on a member 121 carried by an outerwall 122 also secured to the horizontal slideway 14. In order to preventinadvertent tipping of the articles carried by the conveyor 18, theremay be provideda guide rail 123 carried by the outer wall 122 and whichoperates in a manner similar to the guide rail 114 disposed. adjacentthe conveyor 17.

As will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 14, the shaft 169 andsprocket 108 carried thereby is driven by a chain or other suitablemeans 124 which engages a sprocket 125 on the main drive shaft 45 and ina similar manner, the shaft 118 and sprocket 117 carried thereby aredriven by a chain or other suitable means 126 which engages asprocket-127 also mounted on the main drive shaft 45. As a result, thechains and which constitute the conveyors 17 and 18 are driven insynchronism and in timed relation to the operation of the conveyorchains 28 and 29 which move the packing cases through the apparatus.Sprockets 128 and 129 may be fixed to the shaft 107 and such sprocketsmay be connected by chains 130 and 131 with sprockets 132 and 133respectively fixed to the shaft 104. This will result in driving thedouble row conveyor 100 in synchronism and at the same rate as thesingle row conveyors 17 and 13.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 7, the article dividing means 15 ispositioned adjacent the discharge end of the double row conveyor 100 andthis dividing means may well comprise a V-shaped deflecting member 134dis posed above the double row conveyor 100 and with the apex 135 of theV-shaped member 134 disposed substantially midway of the width of thedouble row conveyor 100 and pointing in a direction opposite to themovement of articles along the double row conveyor 100. The divergingarms or legs 136 and 137 of the V-shaped member 134 extend rearwardlyand termi-.

nate above the entrance end of the single row conveyors 1'7 and 18respectively. Spaced from the leg or arm 136 of the V-shaped member 134and substantially parallel thereto is a guide member 138, the inner end139 of which is curved to facilitate entry of articles between the guidemembers 138 and the arm 136 and the outer end 140 of the guide member138 terminates above the entrance end of the single row conveyor 17.

In a similar manner, there is provided a guide member 141 spaced fromand substantially parallel to the arm or leg 137 of the V-shaped member134 and the entrance end 142 of the guide member 141 is curved tofacilitate entry of articles between such guide member and the leg 137and the opposite end 143 of the guide member terminates above theentrance end of the single row conveyor 18.

It will thus be seen, that as articles are carried along in a double rowby double row conveyor 100, that the apex 135 of the V-shaped member 134will pass between the row of articles and direct single rows of sucharticles between the leg 136 and guide member 138 and between the leg137 and guide member 141 onto the single row conveyors 17 and 18.Thereafter, the single rows of articles will be carried by such singlerow conveyors 17 and 18 along opposite sides of the horizontal slideway14 and in timed relation to the movement of packing cases 73 therealongand it is only necessary for the operators to manually lift the articlesfrom single row conveyors 17 and 1S and place the same in the packingcases '73 during-movement thereof along the horizontal slideway 14. Thedouble row conveyor 100 and the single row conveyors 17 and 18 operatecontinuously to I supply articles to the apparatus and it is to benoted, that such articles are transported in a vertical position and insuch a manner that labels or other decorative features are not displacedor damaged. Furthermore, the double row conveyor 100 which constitutesthe primary article supply means is disposed beneath the inclinedslideway 12 and consequently, does not occupy additional floor space, aswould be the case if the articles were supplied from either side of thepackaging apparatus.

It will be seen that by the above described invention there has beenprovided a relatively simple, yet highly efiicient packaging apparatuswhich will occupy a minimum of floor space and which will permit acontinuous packaging operation requiring only two operators andnecessitating no interruptions in the operation of such apparatus,except in the event of the failure of the article supply or inadvertentbreakdown of the apparatus. Furthermore, all manual handling of thepacking cases is eliminated and the tops of the cases are disposed atsubstantially the same level as the bottoms of the articles 10 to beplaced therein thereby facilitating the manual inserting operation andfurthermore, the operators may work in a comfortable upright positionwithout undue leaning or reaching and the speed of operation of thevarious conveyors is such that the operators may completely fill thepacking cases without at any time stopping the movement of packing casesthrough the apparatus.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in the invention Without departing from the spirit and scopethereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which isshown in the drawing and described in the specification, but only asindicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1 Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles therein, saidapparatus comprising an inclined chute for feeding empty cases bygravity, case stop means projecting into the path of movement of caseson said chute to prevent movement of cases therealong, said stop meansbeing retractable to permit movement of said cases on said chute,

an inclined slideway for receiving cases from said chute, a horizontalslideway, said inclined slideway merging into said horizontal slideway,an endless conveyor comprising chains disposed at opposite sides of saidinclined and horizontal slideways, said chains being trained oversprockets fixed to an idler shaft rotatably mounted adjacentthetdischarge end of said chute and over sprockets fixed to a conveyordrive shaft rotatably mounted adjacent the discharge end of saidhorizontal slideway, spaced pusher bars secured to said chains forengaging each case released by said case stop means to move said casesalong said inclined and horizontal slideways, a main drive shaft, acounter-shaft, means for selectively driving said counter-shaft atdifferent speeds from said main drive shaft, drive means including aremote controlled clutch connecting said counter-shaft and said conveyordrive shaft, a cam for actuating said case stop means, means for drivingsaid cam shaft from said idler shaft whereby said stop means operates intimed relation to the movement of said pusher bars, cover flapmanipulating means mounted above said inclined slideway and includingmechanism for folding the side cover flaps downwardly on each side ofsaid cases and for engaging and folding the trailing end cover flap to aposition rearwardly of said cases with relation to the direction oftravel, guide bars on opposite sides of said inclined and horizontalslideways for engaging said side cover flaps to hold the same in foldedposition during travel along the inclined and horizontal slideways,single row article conveyors on opposite sides and above the casesupporting surface of said horizontal slideway, means for driving saidsingle row conveyors from said main drive shaft, a double row articleconveyor disposed beneath said inclined slideway with the discharge enddisposed between said single row conveyors, means to drive said doublerow conveyor from said single row conveyors in timed relation thereto,dividing means for engaging the double row of articles on said doublerow conveyor and guiding the same in single rows onto said single rowconveyors, slide bars forming the case supporting surface of saidhorizontal slideway and means to adjust said slide bars verticallywhereby the tops of said cases will be at substantially the same levelas said single row conveyors.

2. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles, therein, saidapparatus comprising an inclined chute for feeding empty cases bygravity, case stop means projecting into the path of movement of caseson said chute to prevent movement of cases therealong, said stop meansbeing re- 11 tf'actabl'e" 't'o prmitm'ovemem of said cases on saidchute, ahihcli'ned lidevv'ay for receiving cases from said chute, afh'oriz' s1 slideway, said inclined slideway merging into saidhorizontal slideway, an endless conveyor comp'iisi'ngchainsdisposed atopposite sides of said inclined and horizontal slidevvays, said chainsbeing trained over sprbckets fixed to an idler shaft rotatably mountedadjac'e'r'it the discharge end of said chute and over sprockets firie'dto a conveyor drive shaft rotatably mounted adjacent the discharge endof said horizontal slideway, spaced pusher bars secured to said chainsfor engaging eachcase released by said case stop means to move saidcases along said inclined and horizontal slideways, a main drive shaft,drive means including a remote controlled clutch connecting said maindrive shaft and said conveyor drive shaft, a cam for actuating said casestop means, means for driving said cam from said idler shaft wherebysaid stop means operates in timed relation to the movement of saidpusher bars, cover fiap manipulating means mounted above said inclinedslideway and including mechanism for folding the side cover flapsdownwardly on each side of said cases and for engaging and folding thetrailing end cover flap to a position rear- Wardly of said cases withrelation to the direction of travel, guide bars on opposite sides ofsaid inclined and horizontal slideways for engaging said side coverflaps to hold the same in folded position during travel along theinclined and horizontal slideways, single row article conveyors onopposite sides and above the case supporting surface of said horizontalslideway, means for driving said single row conveyors from said maindrive shaft, a double row article conveyor disposed beneath saidinclined slideway with the discharge end disposed between said singierow conveyors, means to drive said douhie row conveyor from said singlerow conveyors in timed relation thereto, dividing means for engaging thedouble row of articles on said double row conveyor and guiding the samein single rows onto said single row conveyors, slide bars forming thecase supporting surface of said horizontal slideways and means to adjustsaid slide bars vertically whereby the tops of said cases will be atsubstantially the same level as said single row conveyors.

3. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles therein, saidapparatus comprising an inclined chute for feeding empty cases bygravity, case stop means projecting into the path of movement of caseson said chute to prevent movement of cases therealong, said stop meansbeing retractable to permit movement of said cases on said chute, aninclined slideway for receiving cases from said chute, .a horizontalslideway, said inclined slideway merging into said horizontal slideway,an endless conveyor comprising chains disposed at opposite sides of saidinclined and horizontal siideways, said chains being trained oversprockets fixed to an idier shaft rotatably mounted adjacent thedischarge end of said chute and over sprockets tired to a conveyor driveshaft rotatabiy mounted adjacent the discharge end of said horizontalslideway, spaced pusher bars secured to said chains for engaging eachcase released by said case stop means to move said cases along saidinclined and horizontal slideWays, a in t drive shaft, drive meansincluding a remote controilcd clutch connecting said main drive shaftand said conveyor drive shaft, a cam for actuating said case stop means,means for driving said cam from said idler shaft whereby said stop meansoperates in timed relation to the movement of said pusher bars, coverflap manipulating means mounted above said inclined slideway andincluding mechanism for folding the side cover flaps do? nt-vardly eachside of said cases and for engaging and folding said trailing end coverflap to a position rearwatery of siiid cases with relation to thedirection of travel, guide bars on opposite sides of said inclined andhorizontal s'lideways for engaging said cover flaps to hold the same infolded position during travel along the inclined and horizontalslideways, single row article conveyors on opposite sides and above thecase supporting surface of said horizontal slideway, means for drivingsaid single row conveyor from said main drive shaft, a double rowarticle conveyor disposed beneath said inclined slideway with thedischarge end disposed between said single row conveyors, means to drivesaid double row conveyor from said single row conveyors in timedrelation thereto and dividing means for engaging the double row ofarticles on said double row conveyor and guiding the same in single rowsonto said single row conveyors.

4. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing articles therein, saidapparatus comprising a chute forfeeding empty cases, case stop meansprojecting into the path of movement of cases on said chute to preventmovement of cases therealong, said stop means being retractable topermit movement of said cases on said chute, an inclined slideway forreceiving cases from said chute, a horizontal slideway, said inclinedslideway merging into said horizontal slideway, an endiess conveyorcomprising chains disposed at opposite sides of said inclined andhorizontal slideways, said chains being trained over sprockets fixed toan idler shaft rotatably mounted adjacent the discharge end of saidchute and over sprockets fixed to a conveyor drive shaft rotatablymounted adjacent the discharge end of said horizontal slideway, spacedpusher bars secured to said chains for engaging each case released bysaid case stop means to move said cases along said inclined andhorizontal slideways, a main drive shaft, drive means including a remotecontrolled clutch connecting said main drive shaft and said conveyordrive shaft, a cam for actuating said case stop means, means for drivingsaid earn from said idler shaft whereby said stop means operates intimed relation to the movement of said pusher bar's, cover flapmanipulating means mounted above said inclined slideway and incudingmechanism for' folding the side cover flaps downwardly and on each sideof said cases and for engaging and folding the trailing end cover flapto a position rearwardly of said cases with relation to the direction oftravel, guide bars on opposite sides of said inclined and horizontalslideways for engaging said side cover flaps to hold the same in foldedposition during travel along the inclined and horiz'ontal slideways',single row article conveyors on opposite sides and above the casesupporting surface of said horizontal slideway, means for driving saidsingle row conveyors from said main drive shaft, a double row articleconveyor disposedbeneath said inclined slideway with the discharge anddisposed between said single row conveyors, means to drive said doublerow conveyor from said single row conveyors in timed relation theretoand dividing means for engaging the double row of articles on saiddouble row conveyor and guiding the same in single rows onto said singlerow conveyors.

5. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles therein, saidapparatus comprising a chute for feeding empty cases, case stop meansprojecting into the path of movement of cases on said chute to preventmovement of cases therealong, said stop means being retractable topermit movement of said cases on said chute, an inclined slideway forreceiving cases from said chute, a horizontal slideway, said inclinedslideway merging into said horizontal slideway, an endless conveyorcomprising chains disposed at opposite sides of said inclined andhorizontal SliLlBWElf/S, said chaihs being trained over sprockets fixedto an 13 idler shaft rotatably mounted adjacent the discharge end ofsaid chute and over sprockets fixed to a conveyor drive shaft rotatablymounted adjacent the discharge end of said horizontal slideway, spacedpusher bars secured to said chains for engaging each case released bysaid case stop means to move said cases along said inclined andhorizontal slideways, a main drive shaft, drive means connecting saidmain drive shaft and said conveyor drive shaft, a cam for actuating saidcase stop means, means for driving said cam from said idler shaftwhereby said stop means operates in timed relation to the movement ofsaid pusher bars, cover flap manipulating means mounted above saidinclined slideway and including mechanism for folding side cover flapsdownwardly on each side of said cases and for engaging and folding thetrailing end cover flap to a position rearwardly of said cases withrelation to the direction of travel, guide bars on opposite sides ofsaid inclined and horizontal slideways for engaging said side coverflaps to hold the same in folded position during travel along theinclined and horizontal slideways, single row article conveyors onopposite sides and above the case supporting surface of said horizontalslideway, means for driving said single row conveyors from said maindrive shaft, a double row article conveyor disposed beneath saidinclined slideway with the discharge end disposed between said singlerow conveyors, means to drive said double row conveyor from said singlerow conveyors in timed relation thereto and dividing means for engagingthe double row of articles on said double row conveyor and guiding thesame in single rows onto said single row conveyors.

6. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulatng the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles therein, saidapparatus comprising a chute for feeding cases, case stop means toprevent movement of cases therealong, said stop means being operable topermit movement of said cases on said chute, an inclined slideway forreceiving cases from said chute, a horizontal slideway, said inclinedslideway merging into said horizontal slideway, an endless conveyorcomprising chains disposed at opposite sides of said inclined andhorizontal slideways, said chains being trained over sprockets fixed toan idler shaft rotatably mounted adjacent the discharge end of saidchute and over sprockets fixed to a conveyor drive shaft rotatablymounted adjacent the discharge end of said horizontal slideway, spacedpusher bars secured to said chains for engaging each case released bysaid case stop means to move said cases along said inclined andhorizontal slideways, a main drive shaft, drive means connecting saidmain drive shaft and said conveyor drive shaft, a cam for actuating saidcase stop means, means for driving said cam from said idler shaftwhereby said stop means operates in timed relation to the movement ofsaid pusher bars, cover flap manipulating means mounted above saidinclined slideway and including mechanism for folding the side coverflaps downwardly on each side of said cases and for engaging and foldingthe trailing end cover flap to a position rearwardly of said cases withrelation to the direction of travel, guide bars on opposite sides ofsaid inclined and horizontal slideways for engaging said side coverflaps to hold the same in folded position during travel along theinclined and horizontal slideways, single row article conveyors onopposite sides and above the case supporting surface of said horizontalslideway, means for driving said single row conveyors from said maindrive shaft, a double row article conveyor disposed beneath saidinclined slideway with the discharge end disposed between said singlerow conveyors, means to drive said double row conveyor from said singlerow conveyors in timed relation thereto and dividing means for engagingthe double row of articles on said double row conveyor and guiding thesame in single rows onto said single row conveyors.

7. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles therein, saidapparatus comprising a chute for feeding empty cases, case stop means toprevent movement of cases therealong, said stop means be ing operable topermit movement of said cases on said chute, an inclined slideway forreceiving cases from said chute, a horizontal slideway, said inclinedslideway merging into said horizontal slideway, an endless conveyorcomprising chains disposed at opposite sides of said inclined andhorizontal slideways, said chains being trained over sprockets fixedto'an idler shaft rotatably mounted adjacent the discharge end of saidchute and over sprockets fixed to a conveyor drive shaft rotatablymounted adjacent the discharge end of said horizontal slideway, spacedpusher bars secured to said chains for engaging each case released bysaid case stop means to move said cases along said inclined andhorizontal slideways, a main drive shaft, drive means connecting saidmain drive shaft and said conveyor drive shaft, actuating means for saidcase stop means, means for operating said actuating means from saididler shaft whereby said stop means operates in timed relation to themovement of said pusher bars, cover fiap manipulating means mountedabove said inclined slideway and including mechanism for folding theside cover flaps downwardly on each side of said cases and for engagingand folding the trailing end cover flap to a position rearwardly of saidcases with relation to the direction of travel, guide bars on oppositesides of said inclined and horizontal slideways for engaging said coverflaps to hold the same in folded position during travel along theinclined and horizontal slideways, single row article conveyors onopposite sides and above the case supporting surface of said horizontalslideway, means for driving said single row conveyors from said maindrive shaft, a double row article conveyor disposed beneath saidinclined slideway with the discharge end disposed between said singlerow conveyors, means to drive said double row conveyor from said singlerow conveyors in timed relation thereto and dividing means for engagingthe double row of articles on said double row conveyor and guiding thesame in single rows onto said single row conveyors.

8. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles therein, saidapparatus comprising a chute for feeding empty cases, case stop means toprevent movement of cases therealong, said stop means being operable topermit movement of said cases on said chute, an inclined slideway forreceiving cases from said chute, a horizontal slideway, said inclinedslideway merg ing into said horizontal slideway, an endless conveyorcomprising chains disposed at opposite sides of said inclined andhorizontal slideways, said chains being trained over sprockets fixed toan idler shaft and over sprockets fixed to a conveyor drive shaft,spaced pusher bars secured to said chains for engaging each casereleased by said case stop means to move said cases along said inclinedand horizontal slideways, a main drive shaft, drive mens connecting saidmain drive shaft and said conveyor drive shaft, actuating means for saidcase stop means, means for operating said actuating means from saididler shaft whereby said stop means operates in timed relation to themovement of said pusher bar, cover flap manipulatingmeans mounted abovesaid inclined slideway and including mechanism for folding the sidecover flaps downwardly on each side of said cases and for engaging andfolding the trailing end cover flap to a position rearwardly of saidcases with relation to the direction of travel, guide bars on oppositesides of said inclined and horizontal slideways for engaging said sidecover flaps to hold the same in folded position during travel along theinclined and horizontal slideways, single row article conveyors onopposite sides and above the case supporting surface of said horizontalslideway, means for driving saidsingle row conveyors from said maindrive shaft, 21 double row article conveyor disposed beneath saidinclined slideway with the discharge end disposed between said singlerow conveyors, means to drive said double row conveyor from said singlerow conveyors in timed relation thereto and dividing means for engagingthe double row of articles on said double row conveyor and guiding thesame in single rows onto said single row conveyors.

9. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles therein, saidapparatus comprising a chute for feeding empty cases, case stop means toprevent movement of cases therealong, said stop means beingoperable topermit movement of said cases on said chute, an inclined slideway forreceiving cases from said chute, a horizontal slideway, said inclinedslideway merging into said horizontal slideway, an endless conveyorcomprising chains disposed at opposite sides of said inclined andhorizontal slideways, said chains being trained over sprockets fixed toan idler shaft and fixed to a conveyor drive shaft, case conveying meanssecured to said chains for engaging each case released by said case stopmeans to move said cases along said inclined and horizontal slideways, amain drive shaft, drive means connecting said main drive shaft and saidconveyor drive shaft, actuating means for said case stop means, meansfor operating said actuating means from said idler shaft whereby saidstop means operates in timed relation to the movement of said caseconveying means, cover flap manipulating means mounted above saidinclined slideway and including mechanism for folding the side coverflaps downwardly on each side of said cases and for engaging and foldingtrailing end cover flap to a position rearwardly of said cases withrelation to the direction of travel, guide bars on opposite sides ofsaid inclined and horizontal slide ways for engaging said side coverflaps to hold the same in folded position during travel along theinclined and horizontal slideways, single row article conveyors onopposite sides and above the case supporting surface of said horizontalslideway, means for driving said single row conveyors from said maindrive shaft, a double row article conveyor disposed beneath saidinclined slideway with the discharge end disposed between said singlerow conveyors, means to drive said double row conveyor from said singlerow conveyors in timed relation thereto and dividing means for engagingthe double row of articles on said double row conveyor and guiding thesame in single rows onto said single row conveyors.

10. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles therein, saidapparatus comprising a chute for feeding empty cases, case stop means toprevent movement of cases therealong, said stop means being operable topermit movement of cases on said chute, an inclined slideway forreceiving cases from said chute, a horizontal slideway, said inclinedslideway merging into said horizontal slideway, an endless conveyorcomprising chains disposed at opposite sides of said inclined andhorizontal slideways, said chains being trained over sprockets fixed toan idler shaft and over sprockets fixed to a conveyor drive shaft, caseconveying means secure: to said chains for engaging each case releasedby said case stop means to move said cases along said inclined andhorizontal slideways, drive means for said conveyor drive shaft,actuating means for said case stop means, means for operating saidactuating means from said idler shaft whereby said stop means operatesin timed relation to the movement of said case conveying means, overflap manipulating means mounted above sm'd inclined slideway andincluding mechanism for folding the side cover flaps downwardly on eachside of said cases and for engaging and folding the trailing end coverflap to a position rearwardly of said cases with relation to thedirection of travel, guide bars on opposite sides of said inclined andhorizontal slideways for engaging side cover flaps to hold the same infolded position during travel along the inclined and horizontalslideways, single row article conveyors on opposite sides and above thecase supporting surface of said horizontal slideway, means for drivingsaid single row conveyors, a double row ar ticle conveyor disposedbeneath said inclined slideway with the discharge end disposed betweensaid single row conveyors, means to drive said double row conveyor fromsaid single row conveyors in timed relation thereto and dividing meansfor engaging the double row of articles on said double row conveyor andguiding the same in single rows onto said single row conveyors.

11. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles therein, saidapparatus comprising a chute for feeding empty cases, case stop means toprevent movement of cases therealong, said stop means being operable topermit movement of said cases on said chute, an inclined slideway forreceiving cases from said chute, a horizontal slideway, said inclinedslideway merging into said horizontal slideway, an endless conveyorextending along said inclined and horizontal slideways, case conveyingmeans secured to said conveyor for engaging each case released by saidcase stop means to move said cases along said inclined and horizontalslideways, drive means for said conveyor, actuating means for said casestop means, means for operating said actuating means in timed relationto the movement of said case conveying means, cover flap manipulatingmeans mounted above said inclined slideway and including mechanism forfolding the side cover flaps downwardly on each side of said cases andfor engaging and folding the trailing end cover flap to a positionrearwardly of said cases with relation to the direction of travel, guidebars on opposite sides of said inclined and horizontal slideways forengaging said side cover flaps to hold the same in folded positionduring travel along the inclined and horizontal slideways, single rowarticle conveyors on opposite sides and above the case supportingsurface of said horizontal slideway, means for driving said single rowconveyors, a double row article conveyor disposed beneath said inclinedslideway with the discharge end disposed between said single rowconveyors, means to drive said double row conveyor from said single rowconveyors in timed relation thereto and dividing means for engaging thedouble row of articles on said double row conveyor and guiding the samein single rows onto said single row conveyors.

12. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles therein, saidapparatus comprising a chute for feeding empty cases, case stop means toprevent movement of cases therealong, said stop means being operable topermit movement of cases on said chute, an inclined slideway forreceiving cases from said chute, a horizontal slideway, said inclinedslideway merging into said horizontal slideway, an endless conveyorextending along said inclined and horizontal slideways, case conveyingmeans secured to said conveyor for engaging each case released by saidstop means to move said cases along said inclined and horizontalslideways, drive means for said conveyor, actuating means for said casestop means, means for operating said actuating means in timed relationto the movement of said case conveying means, cover flap manipulatingmeans mounted above said inclined slideway and including mechanism forfolding the side cover flaps downwardly on each side of said cases andfor engaging and folding the trailing end of cover fiap 17 to a positionrearwardly of said cases with relation to the direction of travel, guidebars on opposite sides of said inclined and horizontal slideways forengaging said side cover flaps to hold the same in folded positionduring travel along the inclined and horizontal slideways, single rowarticle conveyors on opposite sides and above the case supportingsurface of said horizontal slideway, means for driving said single rowconveyors, a double row article conveyor disposed beneath said inclinedslideway with the discharge end disposed between said single rowconveyors, means to drive said double row conveyor in timed relation tosaid single row conveyors and the dividing means for engaging the doublerow of articles on said double row conveyor and guiding the same insingle rows onto said single row conveyors.

13. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles therein, saidapparatus comprising a chute for feeding empty cases, case stop means toprevent movement of cases therealong, said stop means being operable topermit movement of said cases on said chute, an inclined slideway forreceiving cases from said chute, a horizontal slideway, said inclinedslideway merging into said horizontal slideway, an endless conveyorextending along said inclined and horizontal slideways, case conveyingmeans secured to said conveyor for engaging each case released by saidcase stop means to move said cases along said inclined and horizontalslideways, drive means for said conveyor, actuating means for said casestop means, means for operating said actuating means in timed relationto the movement of said case conveying means, cover flap manipulatingmeans including mechanism for folding the side cover flaps downwardly oneach side of said cases and for engaging and folding the trailing endcover flaps to a position rearwardly of said cases with relation to thedirection of travel, guide bars on opposite sides of said inclined andhorizontal slideways for engaging said side cover flaps to hold the samein folded position during travel along the inclined and horia zontalslideways, single row article conveyors on opposite sides and above thecase supporting surface of said horizontal slideway, means for drivingsaid single row conveyors, a double row article conveyor disposedbeneath said inclined slideway with the discharge end disposed be 4tween said single row conveyors, means to drive said double row conveyorin timed relation to said single row conveyors and dividing means forengaging the double row of articles on said double row conveyor andguiding the same in single rows onto said single row conveyors.

14. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles therein, saidapparatus comprising a chute for feeding empty cases, case stop means toprevent movement of cases therealong, said stop means being operable topermit movement of said cases on said chute, an inclined slideway forreceiving cases from said chute, a horizontal slideway, said inclinedslideway merging into said horizontal slideway, an endless conveyorextending along said inclined and horizontal slideways, case conveyingmeans secured to said conveyor for engaging each case released by saidcase stop means to move said cases along said inclined and horizontalslideways, drive means for said conveyor, actuating means for said casestop means, means for operating said actuating means in timed relationto the movement of said case conveying means, cover flap manipulatingmeans including mechanism for folding the side cover flaps downwardly oneach side of said cases and for engaging and folding the trailing endcover flap to a position rearwardly of said cases with relation to thedirection of travel, means to hold said side cover flaps in foldedposition during travel along the inclined and horizontal slideways,single row article conveyors on opposite sides and above the casesupport- I8 ing surface of said horizontal slideway, means for drivingsaid single row conveyors, a douoie ro-W article conveyor disposedbeneath said inclined slideway with the discharge end disposed betweensaid single rowconveyors, means to drive said double row conveyor intimed relation to said single row conveyors and dividing means forengaging the double row'of articles on said double row conveyor andguiding the same in single rows onto said single row conveyors.

15. Packaging apparatus for feedingpacking cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles therein, saidapparatus comprising a chute for feeding empty cases, case stop means toprevent movement of cases therealong,-s-aid stop means being operable topermit movement of said cases on said chute, an inclined slideway forreceiving cases from said chute,- a horizontal slideway, said inclinedslideway merging into said horizontal slideway, an endless conveyorextending along said inclined and horizontal slideways, case conveyingmeans secured to said conveyor for engaging each case released by saidcase stop means to move said cases along said inclined and horizontalslideways, drive means for said conveyor, actuating means for said casestop means, means for operating said actuating means in timed relationto the movement of said case conveying means, cover flap manipulatingmeans including mechanism for folding the side cover flaps downwardly oneach side of said cases and for engaging and folding the trailing endcover flap to a position rearwardly of said cases with relation to thedirection of travel, means to hold said side cover flaps in foldedposition during travel along the inclined and horizontal slideways,single row article conveyors on opposite sides of said horizontalslideway, means for driving said single row conveyors, a double rowarticle conveyor disposed beneath said inclined slide: way with thedischarge end disposed between said single row conveyors, means to drivesaid double row conveyor in timed relation to said single row conveyorsand dividing means for engaging the double row of articles on saiddouble row conveyor and guiding the same in single rows onto said singlerow conveyors.

16. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles therein, saidapparatus comprising a chute for feeding empty cases, case stop means toprevent movement of cases therealong, said stop means being operable topermit movement of said cases on said chute, an inclined'slideway forreceiving cases from said chute, a horizontal slideway, ing into saidhorizontal slideway, an endless conveyor extending along said inclinedand horizontal slideways, case conveying means secured to said conveyorfor en gaging each case released by said case stop means to move saidcases along said inclined and horizontal slideways, drive means for saidconveyor, actuating means for said case stop means, means for operatingsaid actuating means in timed relation to the movement of said caseconveying means, cover'fiap manipulating means including mechanism forfolding the side cover flaps downwardly on each side of said cases forengaging and folding the trailing end cover flap to a positionrearwardly of said cases with relation to the direction of travel, meansto hold said side cover flaps in folded position during travel along theinclined and horizontal slideways, single row article conveyors onopposite sides of said horizontal slideway, veyors, a double row articleconveyor disposed beneath said inclined slideway, means to drive saiddouble row,

conveyor in timed relation to said single row conveyors and dividingmeans for engaging the double row of.

articles on said double row conveyor and guiding the same in single rowsonto said single row conveyors.

17. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases said inclined slidewaymerg:

means for driving said single row ,con-

and articles to be placed in said cases in time relation and formanipulating the cover flaps of said cases to facilitate placing saidarticles therein, said apparatus comprising a chute for feeding emptycases, case stop means to prevent movement of cases therealong, saidstop means being operable to permit movement of said cases on saidchute, an inclined slideway for receiving cases from said chute, ahorizontal slideway, said inclined slideway merging into said horizontalslideway, an endless conveyor extending along said inclined andhorizontal slideways, case conveying means secured to said conveyor forengaging each case released by said case stop means to move said casesalong said inclined and horizontal slideways, drive means for saidconveyor, actuating means for said case stop means, means for operatingsaid actuating means in timed relation to the movement of said can:conveying means, cover flap manipulating means including mechanism forfolding the side cover flaps downwardly on each side of said cases andfor engaging and folding the trailing end cover fiap to a positionrearwardly of said cases with relation to the direction of said travel,means to hold said side cover flaps in folded position during travelalong the inclined and horizontal slideways, single row article conveyoron opposite sides of said horizontal slideway, means for driving saidsingle row conveyors, a double row article conveyor disposed beneathsaid inclined slideways, means to drive said double row conveyor intimed relation to said single row conveyors and means for directing saidarticles in single rows onto said single row conveyors.

18. Packaging apparatus for feeding packing cases and articles to beplaced in said cases in timed relation and for manipulating the coverflaps of said cases to facilitate placing said articles therein, saidapparatus comprising a chute for feeding empty cases, case stop means topreventmovement of cases therealong, said stop means being operable topermit movement of said cases on said chute, an inclined slideway forreceiving cases from said chute, a horizontal slideway, said inclinedslideway merging into said horizontal slideway, an endless conveyorextending along said inclined and horizontal slideways, case conveyingmeans secured to said conveyor for engaging each case released by saidcase stop means to move said cases along said inclined and horizontalslideways, drive means for said conveyor, actuating means for said casestop means, means for operating said actuating means in timed relationto the movement of said case conveying means, cover flap manipulatingmean includ ing mechanism for folding the side cover flaps downwardly oneach side of said cases and for engaging and folding the trailing endcover flap to a position rearwardly of said cases with relation to thedirection of travel, means to hold said side cover flaps in foldedposition during travel along the inclined and horizontal slideways,single row article conveyors on opposite sides of said horizontalslideway, means for driving said single row conveyors and means forfeeding articles in single rows onto said single row conveyors.

19. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 16 in which said dividingmeans comprises a V-shaped member disposed above said double rowconveyor and substantially midway of the width thereof, said V-shapedmember pointing in a direction opposite to the direction of movement ofsaid articles and with the diverginglegs of said V-shaped memberterminating over said single row conveyors and guide rails substantiallyparallel to the legs of said V-shaped member and terminating oversaidsingle row conveyors whereby said Vshaped member serves to dividesaid double row of articles into diverging single rows and incooperation with said rails to guide the same onto said single rowconveyors.

20. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 18 in which said case stopmeans comprises a, fixed stop member projecting into the path ofmovement of'cases on said chute and engageable with the forward end-of'aa o p e e t movem n the eo rom said chute. to said i e i e ay nd c e eas means o period.- cally moving a case transversely of said chute andout of engagement with said stop means to permit movement of said caseto said inclined slideway, said release means comprising a slide mountedfor movement transversely of said chute, a case engaging pusher elementon one end of said slide disposed within said chute adjacent to saidstop .member, tension spring means for urging said slide and pusherelement transversely of said chute to move a case out of engagement withsaid stop member, a rotatably mounted cam driven from said endlessconveyor in timed relation thereto, a pivotally mounted rocker arm, alink connecting said rocker arm and said slide and a cam follower onsaid rocker arm engaging said cam whereby upon rotation of said cam saidslide and pusher elementwill periodically operate to move a case out ofengagement with said stop member in timed relation to the operation ofsaid endless conveyor.

21. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim l8 inwhich said case stopmeans comprisesa fixed stop member projecting into the path of movementof cases on said chute and engageable with a case to prevent movementthereof from said chute to said inclined slideway. and case releasemeans for periodically moving a case out of engagement with. said stopmeans to permit movement of said case to said inclined slideway, saidrelease means comprising a slide mounted for movement transversely ofsaid chute, a case engaging pusher element on one end of said slidedisposed witlu'nsaid chute adjacent said stop member, tension springmeans for urging said slide and pusher element transversely of saidchute to move a case out of engagement with said stop member, arotatably mounted cam driven from said endless conveyor in timedrelation thereto, a pivotally mounted rocker arm, a link connecting saidrocker arm and said slide and a cam follower on said rocker arm engagingsaid cam whereby upon rotation of. said cam, said slide and pusherelement will periodically operate to move a case out of engagement withsaid stop member intimedirelation to the operation of said endlessconveyor.

22. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 18' in which said case stopmeans comprises a fixed stop member projecting into the pathof'movement' of cases on said chute and engageable witha case to preventmovement thereof from said chute to said inclined slideway and caserelease means for periodically moving a case out of engagement withsaid" stop means .to permit movement of said case to said inclinedslideway,:said'releasc means comprising a slide mounted for movementtransversely of said chute, a case engaging pusher element on one end ofsaid slide disposed within saidchute adjacent said stop member,resilient means for urging, said slide and pusher element transverselyof said chute to move a case out of engagement with said stop member, arotatably mounted cam driven from said endless conveyor in timedrelation thereto, a pivotally mounted rocker arm, a link connecting saidrocker arm and said; slideand a cam follower on said rocker armengaging, said cam whereby upon rotation of said cam saidslide andpusher element will periodically operate to move a case out ofengagement with said stop member in timed relation to the operation ofsaid endless conveyor.

23. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 18 in which said case stopmeans comprises a fixed stop member projecting into the path'of movementof cases on said chute and engageable with a case to prevent movementthereof from saidchute to saidinclined'slidewayand case release meansforperiodically moving; a case;

out of engagement withsaid'stopmeans topermit movement of saidcase tosaid inclined slideway, said-releasemeans comprising a slide mounted formovement-transversely of said chute, a case engaging pusher element onone end of said slide, means for urging said slide and pusher elementtransversely of said chute to move- 21 a case out of engagement withsaid stop member, a rotatably mounted cam driven from said endlessconveyor in timed relation thereto, a pivotally mounted rocker arm, alink connecting said rocker arm and said slide and a cam follower onsaid rocker arm engaging said cam whereby upon rotation of said cam saidslide and pusher element will periodically operate to move a case out ofengagement with said stop member in timed relation to the operation ofsaid endless conveyor.

24. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 18 in which said case stopmeans comprises a fixed stop member projecting into the path of movementof cases on said chute and engageable with a case to prevent movementthereof from said chute to said inclined slideway and case release meansfor periodically moving a case out of engagement with said stop means topermit movement of said caseto said inclined slideway, said releasemeans comprising a slide mounted for movement transversely of saidchute, a case engaging pusher element on one end of said slide,resilient means for urging said slide and pusher element transversely ofsaid chute to move a case out of engagement with said stop member, arotatably mounted cam driven in timed relation to said endless conveyor,a pivotally mounted rocker arm, a link connecting said rocker arm andsaid slide and a cam follower on said rocker arm engaging said camwhereby upon rotation of said cam said slide and pusher element willperiodically operate to move a case out of engagement with said stopmember in timed relation to the operation of said endless conveyor.

25. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 18 in which said case stopmeans comprises a fixed stop member projecting into the path of movementof cases on said chute and engageable with a case to prevent movementthereof from said chute to said inclined slideway and case release meansfor periodically moving a case out of engagement with said stop means topermit movement of said case to said inclined slideway, said releasemeans comprising a slide mounted for movement transversely of saidchute, resilient means for urging said slide transversely of said chuteto move a case out of engagement with said stop member, a rotatablymounted cam driven in timed relation to said endless conveyor, apivotally mounted rocker arm, a link connecting said rocker arm and saidslide and a cam follower on said rocker arm engaging said cam wherebyupon rotation of said cam said slide will periodically operate to move acase out of engagement with said stop member in timed relation to theoperation of said endless conveyor.

26. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 18 in which said case stopmeans comprises a fixed stop member projecting into the path of movementof cases on said chute and engageable with a case to prevent move mentthereof from said chute to said inclined slideway and case release meansfor periodically moving a case out of engagement with said stop means topermit movement of said case to said inclined slideway, said releasemeans comprising a slide mounted for movement transversely of saidchute, resilient means for urging said slide transversely of said chuteto move a case out of engagement with said stop member, a rotatablymounted cam driven in timed relation to said endless conveyor, apivotally mounted rocker arm connectedto said slide and a cam followeron said rocker arm engaging said cam whereby upon rotation of said camsaid slide will periodically operate to move a case out of engagementwith said stop member in timed relation to the operation of said endlessconveyor.

27. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 18 in which said case stopmeans comprises a fixed stop member projecting into the path of movementof cases on said chute and engageable with a case to prevent movementthereof from said chute to said inclined slideway and case release meansfor periodically moving a case out of en- 22 I gagement with said stopmeans to permit movement of said case to said inclined slideway, saidrelease means comprising a slide mounted for movement transversely ofsaid chute, resilient means for urging said slide transversely of saidchute to move a case out of engagement with said stop member, arotatably mounted cam driven in timed relation to said endless conveyorand a cam follower connected to said slide and engaging said cam wherebyupon rotation of said cam said slide will periodically operate to move acase out of engagement with said stop member in timed relation to theoperation of said endless conveyor.

28. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 18 in which said cover flapmanipulating means comprises mechanism mounted above said inclinedslideway and including a tapered nose member for engaging and moving theside cover flaps of said case toward open position as said case movesalong said inclined slideway, twisted diverging folded elements forengaging the partially opened side cover flaps and folding the samedownwardly on each side of the case, an overhanging end cover flapengaging bar mounted on said nose member and extending forwardly thereoffor engaging the trailing end cover flap and moving the same to aposition rearwardly of said case with respect to the direction of traveland an elongated flap bar for engaging and holding said trailing endcover flap in folded position as said case moved along said inclinedslideway.

29; Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 18 in which said cover flapmanipulating means comprises mechanism mounted above said inclinedslideway and including a tapered nose member for engaging and moving theside cover flaps of said case toward open position as said case movesalong said inclined slideway, twisted diverging folded elements forengaging the partially opened side cover flaps and folding the samedownwardly on each side of said case, an overhanging end cover flapengaging bar mounted on said nose member and extending forwardly thereoffor engaging the trailing end cover flap and moving the same to aposition rearwardly of said case with respect to the direction of traveland means for engaging and holding said trailing end cover flap infolded position as said case moves along said inclined slideway.

30. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 18 in which said cover flapmanipulating means comprises mechanism mounted above said inclinedslideway and including a tapered nose member for engaging and moving theside cover flaps of said case toward open position as said case movesalong said inclined slideway, twisted diverging folding elements forengaging the partially opened side cover flaps and folding the samedownwardly on each side of said case and an overhanging end cover flapengaging bar mounted on said nose member and extending forwardly thereoffor engaging the trailing end cover fiap and moving the same to aposition rearwardly of said case with respect to the direction oftravel.

31. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 18 in which said cover flapmanipulating means comprises mechanism mounted above said inclinedslideway and in cluding a tapered nose member for engaging and movingthe side cover flaps of said case toward open position as said casemoves along said inclined slideway, twisted diverging folding elementsfor engaging the partially opened side cover flaps and folding the samedownwardly on each side of said case and an end over flap engaging barfor engaging the trailing end cover flap and moving the same to aposition rearwardly of said case with respect to the direction oftravel.

32. Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 18 in -which said cover flapmanipulating means comprises mechanism mounted above said inclinedslideway and ;,including a nose member for engaging and moving the 23(24 gide cover flaps of said case toward open pgeitiqn ae saidrearwardly of said cesp with respect to the direction of ease moves 51mgsid inclined elidiwzfy,"idgdifig elefiafifl tlavel. fe n fl h parfiuyope-n63 side 9 References Cited in the file of this patent folding Ithegame downwardly 6h ecli side qf 55H case 1 l 1 and en end cover flapengagirig b'ai" foiefig'ging the 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS trailing endcover flap and moving the same f9 21: pib i tior l 2,109,537 KimballJune 12, 1935

